Rikoslaki Chapter 20, Distribution and Possession of an Image Depicting a Child Sexually, Including Realistic Depictions
Rikoslaki (39/1889) 20 luku 19-21 sec, as amended by 8.7.2022/723
A citation is an address, not a summary. The first part names the law; what follows narrows it to the exact section, article or paragraph.
In force since 1 January 2023.
An AI prohibited practices rule binding public and private bodies.
As of 6 September 2026.
What this law does
Drafted with AI from the cited sources under the direction of UnGovr staff. UnGovr holds editorial responsibility for this page.
Section 19 bans manufacturing, offering, or otherwise distributing an image depicting a child sexually where the image is based on an actual situation involving a real child, or where the image is realistic, meaning it deceptively resembles a photograph of a situation in which a child is depicted sexually even though no real child was involved, by a fine or imprisonment for at most two years; the realistic-depiction branch reaches a wholly AI-generated or synthetically altered image on the same footing as an actual photograph.
Section 20 raises the penalty to imprisonment for at least four months and at most six years for an aggravated case, including where the depicted child is especially young or the image also shows serious violence against the child. Section 21 separately punishes possessing such an image, or paying or otherwise arranging access to it, by a fine or imprisonment for at most two years.
A narrow exception in Section 19 excuses production or distribution that is justified by the image's informational character or its evident artistic value.
If you get it wrong
Criminal exposureYes
Criminal exposure note
Distribution (Section 19): fine or imprisonment for at most two years. Aggravated distribution (Section 20), where the depicted child is especially young, the image also shows serious violence or especially humiliating treatment of the child, the offense is committed in a particularly systematic manner, or as part of an organized criminal group, and the offense is also aggravated when assessed as a whole: imprisonment for at least four months and at most six years. Possession, or paying or otherwise arranging access to such an image (Section 21): fine or imprisonment for at most two years.
Who enforces it
Enforcement body
Ordinary Finnish criminal courts, on public prosecution.
What it reaches
Obligation class
Prohibition
When LexLint raises it
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